Congratulations to Phagans’ School of Beauty Grads Irene Gutierrez and Amy Mumford! We’re so proud of your accomplishments!

A simple haircut can be an act of transformation, said Irene Gutierrez and Amy Mumford, owners of a new salon in Corvallis, Dial H for Hair.

“Everyone feels better with a new haircut,” Mumford said. Maybe even like a superhero.

Dial H for Hair specializes in bold color treatments and its music collection and eccentric décor — which fittingly features artwork from “Dial H for Hero” and other comic books — is a reflection of its owners.

“We’re funky and colorful,” Gutierrez said.

Mumford added that it was great to do amazing hair in a space that totally represents them, rather than being employees of somewhere where they couldn’t be themselves.

The salon also does men’s haircuts and straight razor shaves, as well.

Gutierrez and Mumford met at Phagans’ Beauty College in Corvallis four years ago, and hatched a plot to open their own salon.

The dynamic duo opened up Dial H for Hair in June to existing clients and family and friends as they renovated their business space in the basement of Madison Plaza. They started going full swing with the new salon in November.

Gutierrez and Mumford said that giving back to the community is important to them, and they donate haircuts to people going through challenging times, including teens at the Jackson Street Youth Shelter and the Children’s Farm Home and women who have just gotten out of incarceration or who are in drug treatment programs.

“Part of what we wanted to do was to help the community that has been really great for us,” Gutierrez said.

Gutierrez and Mumford also volunteer to do hair for the Majestic Theatre and its programs.

The business partners said they had been through uncomfortable situations in their past, but now they’re finally in a position where they can help.

“It’s not about the money for us. It’s about creating a better community around us,” Gutierrez said.

Dial H for Hair, 425 S.W. Madison Ave., is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.